The Venice of Egypt

El Max, where hundreds of boats dart through the canals, has been called the “Venice of Egypt” for its waterways and relaxed atmosphere.

But in the village in the coastal Mediterranean city of Alexandria, a district of families dependant on fishing for their livelihood is struggling to navigate Egypt's economic troubles.

29 Oct 2014. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Almost every day, the fishermen wake up before dawn and return home in the evening, earning just 10 Egyptian pounds ($1.40).

They worry about how they will make ends meet on meagre earnings they say are being reduced further by polluted waters, making fishing more difficult.

12 Sep 2014. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Raw sewage and waste floats in the canals, the water darkened in some places. The fishermen point to the nearby cement and chemical factories, which they believe are dumping their waste into the waters.

Few here are optimistic. Egypt has been hurt by years of political and economic turmoil ever since the 2011 overthrow of former president Hosni Mubarak. The number of tourists visiting Egypt, while slowly recovering, is still significantly below pre-revolution levels.

29 Oct 2014. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

The government has tried to fix the state’s finances by cutting subsidies and reining in spending.

But many here argue that the reforms have hurt Egypt’s most vulnerable, who have long-relied on a generous system of fuel and food subsidies to supplement insufficient incomes.

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Slideshow

12 Sep 2014. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

A fisherman repairs his boat at the entrance to the fishermen's village in El Max.

12 Sep 2014. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

A boy walks at the beach in front of boats.

12 Sep 2014. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Fishermen repair their nets in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.

18 Oct 2014. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

A fisherman sails his boat as he travels under a bridge.

29 Oct 2014. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Crabs are seen for sale in the El Max area.

29 Oct 2014. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

A fisherman collects fish from his net.

29 Oct 2014. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

People sit in a cafe at the entrance gate to El Max.

18 Oct 2014. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Boats are moored in front of houses.

5 Sep 2014. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

People crowd onto a slide at a public beach.

29 Oct 2014. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

A student walks over a bridge after school.

12 Sep 2014. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

A man looks out from his balcony in El Max.

18 Oct 2014. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

A boy plays under a pipe in the fishermen’s village.

18 Oct 2014. Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

A bird, which is covered in oil, stands on a girder.

12 Sep 2014. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

63-year-old fisherman El Hag Saleh stands at his door, under a poster of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

12 Sep 2014. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Saleh shows family photographs at his home.

12 Sep 2014. Alexandria, Egypt. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Saleh holds a picture of himself as a young man, when he served in the army.